Sussex's best pubs and breweries in CAMRA's Good Beer Guide

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) guide celebrates the best pubs and breweries across the UK serving a “good pint of real ale” as well as man other welcoming factors.

This year’s guide includes a foreword from Iron Maiden frontman and airline pilot Bruce Dickinson and includes a whopping 110 pubs in Sussex.

Here are 11 of our favourite pubs included in the guide and what CAMRA had to say about them.

Basketmakers Arms, Brighton

A much-loved Brighton institution, this busy two-room street-corner pub, popular with young and old alike, is located on the edge of Brighton’s famous bohemian North Laine.

The Basketmakers Arms, Brighton (Image: The Argus)

White Horse, Ditchling

This 12th-century inn lies below the parish church in the picturesque, historic village of Ditchling. Its cellar leads to a network of tunnels under the village, thought to have been used for smuggling in times past.

Lewes Arms, Lewes

A characteristic corner pub comprising three small rooms plus a central lobby with serving hatch. An upstairs function room contains a small theatre stage, and there is an outside terrace. Good food and Sunday lunches.

Lewes Arms, Lewes (Image: The Argus)

The Anchor Inn, Ringmer

Family-run free house dating from 1742. Food is served at lunchtimes and evenings during the week and all day Saturday. The guest ales are usually from local Sussex breweries with real cider from Southdown Cider. Two large garden areas adjoin the building.

Steamworks, Seaford

Right on the station platform the Steamworks is a two-room buffet bar which provides a coffee service to the early morning commuters and then becomes a micropub with four interesting, normally local, beers dispensed using an unusual gravity system.

Steamworks, Seaford (Image: Google Maps)

Cock Inn, Wivelsfield Green

A two-bar pub on the eastern edge of the village, popular with walkers, cyclists and locals alike. A more frequent bus service is available at the other end of the village on routes 40/40X. Two guest beers supplement the Harvey’s.

Salehurst Halt, Salehurst

Close to Robertsbridge, the Halt, a cosy family-run free house is worth seeking out. Three changing local ales are usually on offer alongside a local cider. This pub serves the community well and the menu is full of local produce – booking is advised.

Salehurst Halt, Salehurst (Image: Google Maps)

Bolney Stage, Bolney

On the old London to Brighton coaching route, this pub dates to the 16th century. The large bar area has three separate dining areas. The rooms feature huge inglenook fireplaces, ancient flagstones, open-timbered ceilings and crooked beams, together with comfy old furniture.

The Black Horse Inn, Byworth

Friendly unspoilt Grade II-listed village pub dating from 1791. Inside, this untouched 16th century inn has the perfect olde worlde country look and feel. The front bar has a traditional atmosphere with its large fireplace and real fire in winter.

READ MORE: Brighton Dome: Listed venue to host award winning theatre company

The Black Horse Inn, Byworth (Image: Google Maps)

The Frog and Nightgown, Faygate

Vibrant, cosy pub that was comprehensively refurbished after changing hands in 2015. There are normally two real ales available. Regular events include quiz nights, classic car meets, live music, and open mic nights.

Rising Sun, Nutbourne

This unspoilt 16th-century village free house is a fine old stone building, with ironstone in its construction, it has retained its character. The front part is Victorian, with a listed outdoor privy. The bare-floored drinking area contrasts with the separate well-appointed restaurant. A traditional drinkers’ pub.